LGBT organizations rally support for nondiscrimination ordinance in Houston

A citywide LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance will be introduced and debated by the Houston city council in the next few months, according to Equality Texas.

If passed, the ordinance would protect all Houstonians—regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, sexual orientation, disability, marital and family status, or veteran’s status—from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

San Antonio’s city council approved a similar ordinance in September 2013. Following this vote, Houston Mayor Annise Parker expressed interest in seeing Houston do the same. “It is absolutely something we should do, and the majority of council members have publicly stated they are in support of a nondiscrimination ordinance,” Parker said. “But this is an issue that requires all of council to be engaged and agree it is time to move it forward. When it happens, we will do that.”

In partnership with Texans Together, Equality Texas is asking any individual who supports fairness for all Houstonians to sign their online petition calling on city council to pass the nondiscrimination ordinance. The organization also encourages supporters to spread the word about the ordinance to their family members, friends, church members, civic clubs, and social clubs. To sign the petition, go to the hotlink at texanstogether.org.

Additionally, the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats are reaching out to business owners and leaders supportive of the ordinance with a petition of their own. “Passing a citywide ordinance that protects all Houstonians makes our city a better place to live in, do business in, and improves our standing on the international stage,” the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats said on their website. “To convince our elected officials that passing an ordinance is the right thing to do, we need businesses and business leaders to stand with us.”—Megan Smith